Quo vadis Süßwasser? Anmerkungen zum "Internationalen Jahr des Süßwassers 2003"

Abstract

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in a resolution in 2002 the “Internnational Year of Freshwater 2003”. The aim of the year is to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and managing freshwater resources in a sustainable way. On occasion of the International Year of Freshwater the author highlights the competing demands and gives a short description of three scenarios of freshwater use. From these scenarios it can be concluded that only the establishment of a sustainable, integrated water management will avoid a water crisis and maintain food security.